MicroRNA 375 and diabetes: A key regulator of β cell function and a promising non-invasive biomarker

Diabetes is a growing global health concern, calling for improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Of the emerging possible biomarkers, microRNA 375 (miR-375) has gained attention for its pivotal role in pancreatic β cell development and function, and its altered blood levels following β cell injury. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of miR-375 in insulin regulation, its correlation with diabetes, and its clinical potential. Despite its well-known role in β cell biology, literature analyses have failed to reveal a consistent correlation between the circulating levels of miR-375 and diabetes. A key limitation lies in the lack of β cell specificity of miR-375, along with its modulation by diabetes-related complications, which influences circulating levels of the miRNA. Moreover, the absence of large-scale, standardized clinical studies undermines the comparability of existing data. Despite these limits, the literature analysis clearly indicates the need to expand research into miR-375 modulation strategies in humans, as integrating miR-375 with other diagnostic and therapeutic technologies could enhance its clinical relevance. Such strategies may support more personalized and timely interventions for treating diabetes and its complications, ultimately benefiting patient outcomes and contributing to the sustainability of global healthcare systems.